Election officials in Fulton County, Georgia, are urging a federal judge to dismiss the Department of Justice’s request to disclose the identities of individuals involved in the county’s 2020 election. On Monday, the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections (FBRE) filed a motion to invalidate a grand jury subpoena issued by the Justice Department.
In their motion, they described the subpoena as an “unprecedented and harassing” intrusion, arguing that it’s part of the Justice Department’s ongoing attempt to target those who might be viewed as political adversaries of the President, including election officials, volunteers, and poll workers in Fulton County. They emphasized that false claims about the election being “stolen” are still being spread.
The FBRE’s complaint indicates that the subpoena compels the board to provide extensive information about thousands of poll workers and county staff to U.S. attorneys and FBI agents who are located outside of Georgia. They contend that this investigation should be ceased, especially considering that the statute of limitations on any alleged crimes from 2020 has already lapsed.
In the 2020 election, Georgia was a key battleground state, with Trump narrowly losing to Biden by just 11,777 votes, prompting a manual recount. This process verified Biden’s victory. The ongoing investigation into potential voter fraud in Georgia seems to be a continuation of actions taken during the Trump administration.
In January, the Justice Department had filed a lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, demanding an unredacted statewide voter registration database.
Days following the filing, FBI agents searched the Fulton County Elections Hub as part of their investigation into the 2020 election, also raising concerns regarding lost ballots and custody issues within Georgia’s largest county.
The FBRE is challenging the subpoena, suggesting that Trump’s approach appears to be an “arbitrary fishing expedition.” Conversely, officials from the Trump administration have defended this initiative, asserting it’s vital for ensuring the integrity of elections.
Finally, in a letter addressed to Congress, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard highlighted that interference in American elections poses a significant risk to national security.
Efforts to reach spokespeople from various government agencies, including the White House and the FBI, for comments on this matter were unreturned as of the time of reporting.
